Law 41 changes - The Fielder

Law 41

Protective helmets, when not in use by fielders, should, if above the surface, be placed only on the ground behind the wicket-keeper and in line with both sets of stumps.

If a protective helmet belonging to the fielding side is on the ground within the field of play, and the ball while in play strikes it, the ball shall become dead and, except in the circumstances of Law 34 (Hit the ball twice), 5 penalty runs shall then be awarded to the batting side, in addition to the penalty for a No ball or a Wide, if applicable.

Additionally runs completed by the batsmen before the ball strikes the protective helmet shall be scored, together with the run in progress if the batsmen had already crossed at the instant of the ball striking the protective helmet. See Law 18.10 (Runs scored when the ball becomes dead other than at the fall of a wicket).

If, however, the circumstances of Law 34 apply, neither the 5 penalty runs nor any runs to the batsman are to be awarded. See Law 34.4 (Runs scored from a ball lawfully struck more than once).

Reason for the changes

Law 41.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side) – the words “except in the circumstances of Law 34 (Hit the ball twice)” have been added to clarify an exception to when penalty runs are not awarded, and this is further clarified in a new final paragraph. (See the explanation of Law 34 above.)